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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The idea of a battery pack
for recharging cellphones and other electronics combined with a solar charger
has always been an interesting concept. To be able to both store power for when
needed, and at the same time charge the battery bank with solar power sounded
like a dream solution for when dealing with power outages and different kind of
disasters, especially those of long term duration. The problem seems to be that
although the idea sounds great, the actual execution is generally poor: In my
experience, solar chargers just don’t work as well as we’d hope and they
perform poorly in less than ideal weather conditions.

The Waka Waka Power changed
that for me. Originally a kickstarter project, the idea was to provide a
lighting solution for those that live without electricity or have been affected
by disasters. It is maybe because of this objective that the WW Power works as
it is supposed to. You can charge it during the day, use it to recharge a phone
or other electronic gadget (within the limits of its 2200 mAh LiPo battery) and
still have enough power to run the LED lantern.

The Waka Waka Power also hasa humanitarian side to it: For every unit sold, another unit is financed so
as to be provided for free where people need it. Thousands of units have been
given to Syrian refugees, and disaster victims across the globe such as Haiti
and Philippines. The company’s website keeps updating on where they are helping
out.

Solar Panel: Does it
actually work?

For me that was the big
question. Battery banks are great. I already have a good one and like it but
how well does the Waka Waka Power actually charge when the sun is all you have?
I can say I was pleasantly surprised. Of course a nice sunny day is ideal, but
even during a rainy winter day it would still charge when placed next to the window.
The solar cell (22% efficiency Sunpower cell) blinks three times when charging
at full capacity, two times at medium and blinks one time when charging at low
speed. With a rainy and cloudy day I wasn’t expecting any miracles, but at the
end of the day it had charged two out of four lights, between 25% and 50% of
the battery, and enough to charge my phone some to make a few phone calls or go
online for a while and run the LEDs for several hours.Given the bad weather and how well it
performed I couldn’t have asked for more. In theory you will need a sunny day
worth of charging, about 8 hours, to fully charge the battery pack. Although
this varies between latitudes and weather conditions, for most practical terms
I’d say you need closer to two days for a 100% charge, but what matters to me
the most is that even if it is a cloudy day and raining, about half a day worth
of charging would allow me to revive a drained smartphone and get to use it during
an emergency.

A nice LED Lantern

Besides the solar panel charger
that actually charges, the other pleasant surprise was the double LED lantern.

Many battery banks have a
little LED somewhere so as to work as a flashlight, but the Waka Waka Powerblows them all away because it is made specifically to work as a desk
lamp/lantern. It has two 0.5W Seoul Semicon, 120 lumen/watt LEDs. These LEDs are
very unusual. I’ve never seen ones like them in any flashlight. The yellow part
in the center that you see in most flashlight LEDs is huge, like a big
rectangle six to eight times bigger than a normal Cree LED. The weird looking
LEDs are clearly designed for flood effect, spreading nicely across a room if
placed in a corner. Thanks to an adjustable plastic lid, it can be used as
table lamp using a pile of books or a bottle of water, or hanged in different
positions. With four power modes and a SOS strobe when the button is pressed
for 3 seconds it can be used for gral. illumination and emergency signaling.

Versatility

I like the Waka Waka Power.
It just works, does what its supposed to do and does it pretty well. The 2200
mAh LiPo battery isn’t that big, although it makes sense given that that’s the
maximum power you would be able to recharge during a full day of sunlight
exposure and it is enough for some gadget charging and plenty of illumination.
You have a USB port for connecting your phone charger and a micro USB port for
charging the battery pack with a normal phone charger. It does not include
cables or charger, so you need to get those if you don’t have them already
(though most people with a phone would have them). The instructions are very
simple, mostly using graphics to explain the simple use. Since these units are likely
to end up where people talk a number of dialects or some don’t know how to read
at all it does make sense.

The Waka Waka Poweris a solid unit, works well and the company
has a noble social purpose I am happy to support.

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Leatherman Charge Ti

Fenix Lights

I love this light. Runs on a single AAA and is capable of big boy lumen output (80 lumens) in a keychain package. Also has low and mid mode for longer runtime.
Fenix PD20
Single CR123 cell. 6 modes including 180 lumen turbo mode.
General Mode: 9 lumens (35hrs) -> 47 lumens (6.5hrs) -> 94 lumens (2.6hrs) -> SOS
Turbo Mode: 180 lumens (1hrs) -> Strobe
15 days of survival use (2 continuous hours per day on the lowest setting)

Thanks for the Positive Reviews!

Energency gadget... on steroids.

Asus Eee 1005HA

Basic Door/Window Alarm

Emergency gadget

Both tool and weapon, just the right size

Straight edge makes it easier to sharpen, + tougher tip

Gorilla Tape

By all accounts and reviews I’ve read so far, it truly is “The toughest Tape on the Planet”

Transportation

I talked about these some time ago in an article, remember someone asked where to get one.
"Alternative Transportation"
Just found one reasonably priced and with excellent reviews in Amazon.

Best Folder

Emergency blankets. I Have several of these around.

Katadyn water filter

for the kits

and food ...

Got to have water: Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel

Moleskine, the ultimate little black cover notebook :)

Fenix L0D-CE. Perfect keychain light. 80 Lumens in a single AAA

Nice combo. The Soldier is an excellent product.

Sabre Red OC spray

Made in USA
This is the brand I use and always have one in my bag and car. ( same brand used by NYPD)
My wife keeps one in her purse too.
Sabre Red Tear Gas
Sabre Red for ladies
You guys have the coolest stuff up there.:)

Jack Bauer’s bag.:) I’d like to get one of these and try it out.

Fox OC Spray

Don’t have this one but it’s the hottest OC spray out there.
Someone once called it “bottled lava”
Pick your poison people, but do carry OC
1) Even if you carry a gun
2) SPECIALLY if you don’t carry a gun

Firesteel

Classic, and one of the few things I’d call a “must have” I own two of these.